Venus Williams wins the WTA’s Sony Ericsson Championships for the first time, defeating Vera Zvonareva 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-2 Sunday at the season-ending event. “I’m so excited,” Williams said. “That was a hard-fought match, every point, right down to the end.”
Williams won $1.34 million at the event, which for the first time offered the same prize money as the men at the ATP’s season-ending Masters Cup.
The first lady of Qatar, a conservative Muslim sheikdom, presented the trophy to Williams, shaking her hand and kissing her on both cheeks. Sheika Mozah bint Nasser al-Missned wore a traditional black head scarf and robe. “Thanks to your Royal Highness for coming. Wow!” Williams said.
Such a public appearance by a ruler’s wife is unusual in the region. Mozah might be one of several wives; many emirs and kings in the Gulf have multiple wives—up to the four permitted by Islam.
Billie Jean King sat with Mozah and other dignitaries during the match and joined Williams on the court for the awards ceremony.
The trophy is named for King. Williams’ ranking will improve to no. 6 from no. 8, while the 9th-ranked Zvonareva also will move up two spots.
The two were the lowest-ranked players at the event, which featured the top eight players in the world.
“I know I can go higher” in the rankings, said the 28-year-old Williams, a former No. 1 who defeated top-ranked Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals.
Williams qualified for the championships for the eighth time since 1998.
She had reached the semifinals twice and withdrew five times because of injuries and illness.
“It was missing, this one,” Williams said of the WTA Championships title.
She has won 39 tour singles titles, including five Wimbledon and two U.S. Open crowns.
Williams’ career earnings rose to $21.9 million.
In doubles, Cara Black and Liezel Huber defeated Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs 6-1, 7-5.
(Via AP, Images via Yahoo! Sport)
Dear Jeff Ooi,
I do hope you know what you are talking about. You might be good in politicking but when it comes to tennis, I really hope you do some homework first.
It will be a wish come true to see all tennis super stars in action in one city.
How I wish Marat Safin would come to Penang. Or even Rafael Nadal who is currently injured but still preparing for Davis Cup final next week.
And if you still haven't know, Tennis Masters Cup has just begun, so don't even hope that Roger Federer and Andy Roddick will drop by this week.
But you can meet up with Roger Federer on November 18 though, if you have purchased your Showdown of Champions ticket.
Yeah, Arianna said the tournament is on but that contradicts with the statement made by the media at Kings of Tennis,Sweden. And Roy Emerson, the captain of Team America again said the event has been canceled.
I hope there is a back up plan. Or the organizers come up with a solution by early this week.
And Jeff Ooi, please stick to your politics. Now I'll have to shut up and stick back to my topics too.
Updates:
Yeah, some of you might think I'm trying to make this Kings of Tennis event a political one.
But first, this post is meant to tease Jeff Ooi.
Now here's the serious part. Please.... read carefully.
Read again the article from Sunday Star today and you'll realized the organizer is trying to blame the Penang government for not being supportive which is denied by the Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law.
Think about this, if the event is canceled as stated by media team at Kings of Tennis based in Sweden and also by the player himself, who do you think will face the consequences? You can't blame the Penang government because they are just the key sponsor and doesn't own Kings of Tennis. The event belongs to some Swedish entrepreneurs!
By the way, Kings of Tennis event has been removed from the Visit Penang website. Click on the images to enlarge.
The conclusion is I'm on the Penang government side and also the players sides, who are all former no. 1 players in the world. The organisers must solve their own problems.
Now I really, really have to stick back to my usual topics.
Updates:
Click here to read about the event which is now officially cancelled.
Finally Arianna Teoh appears in Sunday Star today making her statement that Kings of Tennis is still on.
“Speculations about the event being canceled are untrue. Those who doubt should drop by the Esplanade to see the structures already up. The players are also arriving in the next few days,” said Teoh.
SK Boey called up Roy Emerson again this morning and has forwarded the news link to him. But as far as Emerson, the Team Captain of America, is concerned, it is still off.
In that article again, Arianna expressed her disappointment for the lack of support from the Penang government.
“I feel like we are not getting enough support for the event. The Kings of Tennis is going to be an unprecedented event for Penang, and it is special for the reason that we chose to hold it outdoors at a world heritage site,” Teoh said at the venue at Esplanade yesterday.
Personally I must say kudos to the Penang government for acted responsibly by keeping an eye on the budget for Kings of Tennis.
Ultimately this event is organized by a private company and not exactly a state government-initiated event.
Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law, when contacted, refuted claims the state government had turned its back on the Kings of Tennis event.
It is a new event in Penang organised by a private company on their own initiative. We helped provide the venue at a minimal rate, but the issue of the state not helping promote the event should not arise as we did not make such an agreement with the organisers,” he said.
So if you are interested in tennis, you can purchase the tickets at the temporary office set up outside the Penang City Hall building at the Esplanade from 9am to 8pm daily.
Based on an insider information, there's no live coverage of the event on Astro unless there's a last minute change. So the best way to watch is to go to Esplanade and experience the international event yourself.
(Via The Star Online)
Updates:
Click here to read about the event which is now officially cancelled.
Venus Williams wins the WTA’s Sony Ericsson Championships for the first time, defeating Vera Zvonareva 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-2 Sunday at the season-ending event. 
Williams won $1.34 million at the event, which for the first time offered the same prize money as the men at the ATP’s season-ending Masters Cup. 
The first lady of Qatar, a conservative Muslim sheikdom, presented the trophy to Williams, shaking her hand and kissing her on both cheeks. Sheika Mozah bint Nasser al-Missned wore a traditional black head scarf and robe. 
In doubles, Cara Black and Liezel Huber defeated Kveta Peschke and Rennae Stubbs 6-1, 7-5.
